Victoria Falls is known as the adrenaline capital of Africa. It has one of the highest bungee jumps in the world, the Devils Armchair (a pool right on TOP of the falls, gorge swinging and white-water rafting. We wanted to indulge in every activity offered, and definitely enjoyed quite a few!
One of the highlights was white-water rafting on the Zambezi River. The rapids were way more than we bargained for! It took our "team" three tries to get through the very first rapid, the Boiling Pot. We all applauded ourselves when we finally made it through. On the biggest rapid called The Mother, our boat flipped over and we all spilled out into the river. All the lessons we learned during "orientation" were quickly forgotten as we went careening through the river in varying states of disarray. KT received a small welt above her eye and Karl smacked his ankle against a rock. All in good fun, right? Seriously, this was one of our most thrilling and memorable days of our trip so far.
Of the 25 rapids we negotiated, the last three or four were pretty mellow allowing us to completely absorb and enjoy the stunning beauty
around us. To top it off, after the rafting, we had to climb up this make-shift, rickity ol' wooden ladder, built into a sheer cliff. After negotiating the unruly Zambezi, we were a little surprised how hard it was just to simply get back to our return vehicle! Lastly, we all piled into a dilapidated, frightening "cable car" to haul us the final 400 feet. The contraption was built into the cliff's 45 degree angle and was lovingly named "Truly Zambian". Nobody spoke (or breathed?) while the cable car creaked and groaned its way to the top. We needed three beers on the way "home" to get our pulse back to normal. That being said, we may have had the three beers anyway.
KF's Leap of FaithIt seemed as if the river's push would send you right over the edge. Thrilling to say the least!
The Smoke that ThundersThis is the initial name of the Falls (translated) before Dr. Livingstone renamed them after his Queen.
RestingAfter a long hike down to the "Boiling Pot"
BaboonHe let us know when we were close enough.
Waiver Form:"If you fall over Victoria Falls because you allowed strangers to hold your ankles while you took a picture replete with bad beard, you will not press charges..."
Signed, Karl W Freeman.
KF ZambiaAs we were hiking down to the river, I saw the largest snake I've seen in the wild. An 8-foot black snake quickly slithered passed us under nearby rocks! I played it cool, naturally.
Tribal DancersWe walked to the Zimbabwe side of the falls and ran across this tribal group. We have their performance on video. Amazing.
Walking SafariOur guide Cheenga was so cool. The armed guard with us had been previously attacked by a buffalo and was still a bit jumpy. Do you blame him?
Walking SafariThe cool thing about this day was walking ourselves through the park.
KT and GiraffesWe followed a giraffe that was beginning to give birth, but we made her nervous and so left her alone.
Hostel CookingThis is why I got sick in Zambia. The communal kitchens are nasty!!
Zambia's Flag
Map of Zambia